(New London, CT) - Paul J. Narducci, New London Judicial District State’s Attorney, announced that the Honorable Elizabeth C. Leaming today sentenced Atlantik Balidemaj, age 25, of Norwich, to 44 years in prison for the 2022 murder of Jashira Pagan in Norwich.
A Superior Court jury on January 30, 2026 found Balidemaj guilty of Murder, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54a, and Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53-203.
Evidence in the four-week trial at New London Superior Court established that in the early morning of November 5, 2022, the defendant shot the victim in a cul-de-sac outside her residence in Norwich after a heated argument. Balidemaj was caught on a surveillance camera fleeing the scene. When interviewed by the police, he gave numerous contradictory statements and falsehoods.
“Our thoughts are with Jashira’s family today and we hope this disposition brings them some peace,” State’s Attorney Narducci said.
State’s Attorney Narducci would like to thank the Norwich Police Department, the Town of Groton Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Scientific Services, and the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for their invaluable assistance on this case.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys Thomas M. DeLillo and Marissa Goldberg, and Inspector Matthew Suplee, with the assistance from the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney Appellate Bureau.